Coach Miguel Herrera sets back team, struggles to find offensive players

After two season games, only one goal scored, Club America’s offense is suffering. This is a major setback for the team because compared to last season, America in their second game already had three goals in favor and received zero goals. 

Because of transfers, injuries or players competing with their national teams, America had to use their young/alternative players. This Caused America to tie 0-0 in el Estadio Caliente against Xolos. 

During the game, coach Miguel Herrera’s tactical scheme was a 5-2-3. While Xolos attacked, America was on the defensive side waiting for Xolos.  In comparison to last season, America played with a 4-4-2 and had the strongest offensive team in the league. 

As of now, America cannot use several of their players. Starting with midfielder Guido Rodriguez, who transferred to Real Betis in Spain. This was a hard hit for America because they cannot find their stopper, who defends and distributes the ball on the field. 

Renato Ibarra, America’s right wing who in the 2019 season, scored four goals and nine assists, also suffered an injury on his thigh. Federico Viñas, Richard Sanchez and Nicolas Benedetti are currently playing for their national team. These players were drafted to reinforce the offensive team, but have not been able to play because America gave them permission to play for the U-21 bracket. 

In addition, forward Nicolas Castillo during the 2019 season played 17 games and scored nine goals. He recently recovered from his injury, but Herrera will not give him minutes until he proves that he is in condition to play for a couple of minutes. 

Therefore, Herrera has no other choice than to use alternative players, or from the U-21 squad, to play season games. Even then, America still doesn’t plan to reinforce the team with strikers, but prefers to play with a 5-2-3 formation. 

This 5-2-3 formation tied the team down from pressing and scoring. For example, in the first minutes of the game, Henry Martin intercepted a pass and passed the ball to Giovani Dos Santos. Unfortunately, his shot to goal was blocked by the keeper. After it was blocked, besides Dos Santos there was only one player up front which means that the chances of scoring in a rebound are low. 

Throughout the whole game, seven to eight players were set back on the defense and did not take the opportunity to counter attack. In reality, America usually has four players defending and the rest are ready for the counterattack. 

After the Xolos game, Herrera admits that America lacked depth, and the club struggles due to unforeseen circumstances. 

If America doesn’t reinforce their offensive team they will have a hard time playing in the CONCACAF Champions League and Liga Mx. Probably risking their chances to make it to the playoffs this season.